What would be the impact of Zika on Singapore? In addition to the “Mozzie Wipeout” initiative, how should Singapore combat the Aedes mosquito?

I BELIEVE that the economic impact of Zika on Singapore should be low to nil, as Zika is said to be generally a mild disease and less serious than dengue. Apart from the risk to pregnant women and their unborn children, the symptoms of Zika are mild, with the majority of those infected not even showing any symptoms – so the risk of mortality is low even should an epidemic erupt. There is no cause for widespread panic and therefore economic fallout, if any, should be minimal.

The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which also spreads dengue. With dengue on the rise and expected to hit a new high this year, it is perhaps worth considering deploying our scientists to develop a way to genetically modify or eradicate the Aedes mosquito once and for all.